"Shanghai'd again" I screamed as I was pushed into the van for the drive to Stonington, Ct. The inglorious mode of travel, on land, rather on water, was but the first punishment for your loyal galley slave. "Catch up with the boat!" screamed the winch wench. It seemed that the good ship Paradox III had been taken from her home port by an as yet unknown captain and brought to Connecticut for a possible run at Block Island.
The vehicle arrived and galley slave and winch wench were thrown to the ground. "Out, out, grab the gear and get to the boat..." screamed the little captains! "Don't forget the bottles and the gear! Bring plenty of food and grog for the crew! Bring the freshies! Lots of freshies!"
Galley slave and winch wench struggled under the weight of the supplies for the little captains. Eventually, all was safely stored below. Lo and behold, the good ship did not sink under the weight of the additional supplies!
The little Captains directed us to meet with the crews of Whitecaps, Breathless and Joint Venture for our sail to the ends of the earth!
The first night was spent at the gas dock in Stongington, Ct. A glorious place to sail and reside!
No single picture could describe the land-side glory! A tasty respite was found at the Dog Watch Cafe, shared with fellow cruisers. The next day, a sloop arrived with sad tidings. Block Isle was full, no moorings or slips to be had! 6 foot swells were found that day. Quickly, our travel plans were changed and we moved down-river to the Stonington Ct Yacht Club. Another glorious destination, again in Ct.
Dockmaster John was quick to assist with line and lore! The crew was fed at a nearby restaurant. A tour of the Yacht club proved it to be seaworthy and worthy of a return trip!
Another night at dock, and the little captains declared: "Enough of this Stonington! Off to Westbrook Ct we go!" And with that order, galley slave and winch wench worked the lines and brought the stout vessel into Fisher's Island sound and on to the next port. As the ship passed the light, a cry was let out! "Hazzah, to be on the move again!"
At Westbrook, at a dock, the most amazing light show could be seen among the heavens! Lightning here and thunder there. It seemed a cannon battle was blazing around us!
From Westbrook, the little flotilla made for Port Jefferson in NY. Most of the boats in the flotilla left early, but the little captains demanded a rest. "Why shove off so early? why not stay and enjoy a bottle and nap? A freshie or two would not be bad!"
Atleast the little captains permitted the galley slave and the winch wench to put out the sails and air them out! An hour spent at sail was like a week on vacation!
The little captains did not know the weather. Lo and behold, it fell upon the galley slave to dodge one thunder storm and another on the way to Port Jefferson! We hugged the CT coast for safety before darting into the sound and trying out luck against the storms headed for Port Jefferson. We had a glorious gun battle with the Pt. Jeff ferry, but retired as the ferry brought more guns to bear than the little Paradox III. The little captains did not want to give up the fight, but galley slave slinked away during nap time!
"To the steam room, to the steam room" cried the little captains! Alas, there was to be no steam for galley slave and winch wench! The little captains craved steamed lobster and fried fish. Mere fried fish was saved for the lowly winch wench! A walk around the port showed the sceevy nature of such a port! Fisticuffs and knife fights abounded among the slovenly denizens of the port! A night on the mooring was uneventful.....
In the early morn, the whole flotilla, with the addition Cat's Paw and crew, made way for achorage in Cold Spring Harbor. The sail to the Harbor was pleasant and calm. Few scattered winds paved the way for the little flotilla. Only when the boats reached the mouth of the harbor did the wind arrive, but too late for sails!
Paradox rafted up to Cats Paw for victuals and grog! The little captains demanded grog and feed! Bottles all around they cried! After returning to the Paradox, Cats Paw let go and Paradox took up position on the hook in the midst of the fleet. The galley slave was left to mind the anchor as the crew went to sleep.
Early morning proved to be a glorious day!
The trip back to Home port was a slow passage. We beat the storm into port. We managed to dock the boat and unload the little captains before the great storm hit.
And so ends another chapter of our cruising days......................................
